It is difficult not to get a little teary eyed when watching a video of children, who are sensory sensitive, build a relationship with santa clause in the perfect environment of a library. What was most touching in a video, located within a video called The Power of Stories, was the level of engagement that grew as the kids became more comfortable with a new person, in a quieter environment which was more supportive. Parents, santa, and library staff provided the tools and environment for these young people and were very patient with any hesitancy on the part of the children. Without the support of the library staff, these familes would not have been able to successfully attend a Christmastime event, which is so foundational to childhood.
Libraries can also be louder, more collaborative spaces and, in combination with the aforementioned video, they demonstrate the importance of having more dynamic spaces, within a library buiding, at the same time. The trouble lies in hosting sometimes multiple, varied activity and noise leveled spaces, all under the same roof. For example, besides sensory kits, a noise sensitive (or louder) space may have better sound proofing in the walls. Libraries offering dynamic spaces inside their buildings both show a great consideration for their communites, and all around more thriving lives for those who visit.
Reference
Library 2.0. (2020, March 11). The Power of stories [Youtube video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvZlTRTVX10&t=1578s
@acorey Oh yes. Such a powerful moment in the video..and when the librarians presented it at Next Library 2019.
I got a little misty eyed watching it.
@acorey ,
This was very heartwarming to watch and I loved it. I also agree that having different types of spaces for different types of library experiences is crucial. I love the idea of having sensory rooms in libraries. I would definitely use one to help with my anxiety at times.
Me too! Are sensory rooms similar to “quiet rooms”? I’ve heard both terms.
@inabookbind Is a quiet room a type of sensory room? My library has one for staff with a comfy chair, blanket, mini-zen garden, and meditation app. It’s a smaller room (with a door) off the main room, and is really nice to have! We rent the space, but I wish we could also have one for patrons, because we have received a couple requests of that nature
@acorey I believe that quiet rooms are also sensory rooms…. like I used to go to a quiet place in my art school library, where I could kind of shut off all the noise and put myself in a little hiding hole. It would help me calm down in anxious situations, just as the same as a more tactile room would probably help someone with ADHD. I think there are just different types of sensory spaces for different types of mental stimulation.
@inabookbind That is cool! I’m glad they also have environments that assist those with ADHD, like the tactile rooms.